Chereads / The Wolf and Fair One / Chapter 20 - Chapter 19

Chapter 20 - Chapter 19

Banquet Ritual

"Before we begin the festivities, I would like to welcome Ulf the Merciless into our family. And as promised I have here the agreement we made when you first came here. Bishop Brannock if you please." King Trahaearn shouted. Bishop Brannock walked up with a parchment in his hands towards the King; as he laid the parchment onto the table, he noticed that he was shaking with fear. "Your majesty you will sign here and Ulf will sign on the other side." Brannock spoke quietly. Once it was signed there were cheers being heard in the dining hall; "To my lovely daughter, we love you dearly. Ulf take care of our daughter. Skál!" The King shouted as he kissed his daughter's head as he went to sit down by his own wife.

Sigurd then stood up holding his own horn, "Ég heyri í þessu mjöð horn guði og gyðjum, háum og heilögum Aesir og Vanir. Fyrst þekkt fyrir norðan, Frigga, Odin, Thor, Freyja, Feryr, Balder. Nanna, Disir og Alfar, megið þið blessa þetta brúðkaup og þessa nýju fjölskyldu. Bróður mínum og nýju konunni hans, megið þið sannarlega lifa hamingjusöm og finna ást. Skál!" (Translation: In this mead horn I hear gods and goddesses, high and holy Aesir and Vanir. First known to the north, Frigga, Odin, Thor, Freyja, Feryr, Balder. Nanna, Disir and Alfar, may you bless this wedding and this new family. My brother and his new wife, may you truly live happily ever after. Cheers!) "Skál!" Everyone shouted afterwards. "Your highness." A voice whispered next to Tegwen. She looked to see Tora who looked nervous or worried Tegwen could not be sure. "You must ask for Thor's blessing for strong children." "How do I do that?" Tegwen asked as she glanced to see if her husband saw her talking to Tora. "Ulf has a hammer; it is to represent Thor's hammer Mjölnir." Tora replied before she quickly left the table not letting Tegwen reply.

Tegwen bit her lip and began to play with her fingers, Ulf glanced at his wife to notice that there was something bothering her. "Tegwen, is there something wrong?" He asked as he placed his hand on hers. Tegwen's head snapped up to meet Ulf's dark eyes, "Well, Ulf it has come to my attention that I have to ask Thor's blessing. So, I..." "Ah I see, of course how could I have forgotten." Ulf stated as he cut her off, he stood and then removed his hammer from its holster before placing it on her lap. "Nú segir þú 'Mighty Þór við biðjum þig að blessa börnin okkar að vera sterk og fjölskyldan okkar.'" (Translation: Now, you say 'Mighty Thor we ask you bless our children to be strong and our family.') Ulf instructed. "Voldugur Þór við biðjum þig að blessa börnin okkar að vera sterk og fjölskylda okkar." (Translation: Mighty Thor we ask you bless our children to be strong and our family.) Tegwen repeated. Ulf smiled a big toothy grin as he removed the hammer and placed it back where it was.

"Hér er meira mjöð fyrir brúðgumann og brúðina að deila." (Translation: Here is more mead for the groom and bride to share.) One of Ulf's men shouted as a barrel was moved towards them. "They will share this mead together as a sign of sharing their life and journey as well. Skál!" He shouted again. "Skál!" Everyone shouted. Prince Brioc walked over to the barrel and grabbed a small bowl and filled it up. He then gave it to Ulf, as everyone watched both Ulf and Tegwen drank the mead together. "To my darling sister and her husband. May their marriage be happy and full of love. Skál!" Brioc shouted. "Skál!" Everyone including the bride and groom shouted as the festivities continued.